Crew re-signs Danny O'Rourke

COLUMBUS — The Columbus Crew announced on Monday that the club has re-signed Danny O’Rourke for the 2013 season. Per Major League Soccer and club policy, details of the agreement were not disclosed.

With eight years of MLS experience playing defensive midfield and along the backline, O’Rourke’s return brings versatility and leadership to the Crew ahead of next season. O’Rourke appeared in 21 games for the Black & Gold in 2012 following an injury-plagued 2011 season that limited him to just six matches.

“Danny O’Rourke is a veteran player that understands our club culture and provides leadership on and off the field,” said Crew Technical Director Brian Bliss. “We’re pleased to welcome him back to the club in 2013 and look forward to his continued contributions.”

2013 will be O’Rourke’s seventh season with the Crew. The Columbus native played an integral part in the Crew’s back-to-back Supporters’ Shield victories in 2008 and 2009, and the club’s MLS Cup win in 2008. O’Rourke joined the Black & Gold in a trade with Toronto FC that brought William Hesmer and O’Rourke to Columbus in exchange for partial allocation following the 2006 MLS Expansion Draft. Prior to his time with the Crew, O’Rourke spent one season each with the New York Red Bulls and San Jose Earthquakes. O’Rourke was selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft.

As an amateur, O’Rourke captained Worthington Kilbourne High School to the 2000 OHSAA Division I state title at Crew Stadium to garner NSCAA High School All-American honors. In college, O’Rourke captained Indiana University to back-to-back National Championships in 2003 and 2004, winning the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy in 2004 to cap off his college career.